Behavioral Health Specialist - Decatur, Illinois

Behavioral Health Specialist - Heritage Behavioral Health Center - Decatur, Illinois

Salary: High School or GED: $18.00/hour + every other Friday paid off

Schedule: Full-Time | Every other Friday off (paid wellness day)

Looking for a career where your work truly matters? Heritage Behavioral Health Center is hiring passionate professionals!

About Heritage Behavioral Health Center

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area.We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care - regardless of the position they hold.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Collaborative mission-driven work environment
• Every other Friday off - paid wellness days
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve.Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

Your Role:

Behavioral Health Specialist

Location: Heritage Behavioral Health Center (Crisis Stabilization Unit, Residential Rehabilitation Unit, and/or Group Homes)

Schedule: 24/7 programs with multiple shifts (days/evenings/nights; weekends and holidays required; rotating/alternative schedules available)

Overview of the Position:

Behavioral Health Specialists provide compassionate, paraprofessional support to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in a recoveryoriented, personcentered environment. Working within our Crisis Stabilization Unit, Residential Rehabilitation Unit, or Group Homes, you'll deliver direct care, skills coaching, safety monitoring, and daily living support that help individuals stabilize, build independence, and thrive in the community. This role is ideal for candidates who are reliable, teachable, and committed to traumainformed care, even in fastpaced or crisis settings.

Core Responsibilities:

Support Daily Living & Recovery

• Coach clients in Activities of Daily Living (meal prep, hygiene, housekeeping, laundry) and independent living skills (medication routines, budgeting, time management).
• Promote healthy routines: sleep hygiene, nutrition, movement, and community participation.

Client Engagement & Skills Coaching

• Use motivational, strengthsbased approaches to build rapport and engagement.
• Facilitate or cofacilitate psychoeducational groups (coping skills, wellness, relapse prevention, community integration).

Crisis & Safety Support

• Maintain therapeutic milieu and conduct scheduled safety checks.
• Use deescalation techniques and follow crisis protocols; promptly seek clinical support when risk increases.
• Support transitions between Crisis Stabilization Unit, Residential Rehabilitation, Group Homes, and community settings.

Medication & Health Support (non-clinical)

• Support medication routines per program protocol (e.g., reminders, observation/ documentation when applicable).
• Encourage adherence to medical/behavioral health appointments and care plans; assist with transportation as needed.

Documentation & Communication

• Complete timely, accurate progress notes, checklists, incident reports, and shift hand offs in accordance with policy.
• Communicate effectively with clinical teams (nurses, therapists, prescribers, case managers) and follow care plans.

Environment, Safety, & Compliance

• Uphold traumainformed, culturally responsive, recoveryoriented care principles.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe environments; follow infection control and confidentiality standards (HIPAA).
• Participate in trainings, drills, and quality improvement activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Foundational Knowledge

• Understanding of mental health and substance use conditions, recovery principles, and social determinants of health.
• Awareness of traumainformed care, harm reduction, and personcentered practices.

Core Skills

• Communication: Clear, compassionate verbal/written communication; active listening; professional boundaries.
• Deescalation:Calm presence under pressure; ability to use verbal intervention and follow safety protocols.
• Engagement & Coaching: Motivational approaches to build skills and confidence; group facilitation basics.
• Organization & Documentation: Reliable followthrough, attention to detail, accurate records and handoffs.
• Teamwork: Collaborative, respectful, and responsive across multidisciplinary teams and shifts.

Abilities

• Work in 24/7 settings, including evenings, nights, weekends/holidays; adapt to changing priorities and client needs.
• Assist with physical tasks including light housekeeping; help with safe transportation.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries; use judgment to escalate concerns to clinical staff.
• Build trust, demonstrate empathy, and nonjudgment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

• Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off paid, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. Health insurance includes substantial agency contributions toward the cost.
• Retirement: 401k and Roth
• Professional Growth: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that cares about your well-being as much as the individuals we serve!